The introduction to the document includes an analysis of the characteristics of Defense Ministry expenditures and its 2007 budgetary framework in shekels and U.S. dollars. The total defense budget for 2007 is $2.56 billion.
Ministry officials explained that the publication presents the array of defense activities, within the limitations imposed by security censorship, alongside their respective costs. Such a presentation, officials said, gives the interested citizen enough data for a clear understanding of the nation's defense budget. The booklet covers Defense Ministry expenditures in the security, economic, diplomatic and social welfare fields.
For example, the document lists the costs of the many social and economic welfare programs under Defense Ministry auspices, including treatment for injured soldiers, assistance to families of fallen soldiers, and projects in memory of security personnel who fell in the line of duty. Also itemized in the booklet are Defense Ministry expenditures such as pensions for career soldiers and overseas ministry delegations.
The Defense Ministry publication is the result of last month's decision by the government to increase the transparency of the defense budget. Ministry Director-General Gabi Ashkenazi quickly developed policies for implementation of the principles of transparency, openness and civilian access to data within the boundaries of preserving classified national security information.
The new booklet will be presented directly to Knesset members. It will also appear on the Defense Ministry's web site for easy public access. In addition, the document will be included in the database of the various ministerial budgets appearing on the Finance Ministry web site under the heading "2007 State Budget".
Ministry officials explained that the publication presents the array of defense activities, within the limitations imposed by security censorship, alongside their respective costs. Such a presentation, officials said, gives the interested citizen enough data for a clear understanding of the nation's defense budget. The booklet covers Defense Ministry expenditures in the security, economic, diplomatic and social welfare fields.
For example, the document lists the costs of the many social and economic welfare programs under Defense Ministry auspices, including treatment for injured soldiers, assistance to families of fallen soldiers, and projects in memory of security personnel who fell in the line of duty. Also itemized in the booklet are Defense Ministry expenditures such as pensions for career soldiers and overseas ministry delegations.
The Defense Ministry publication is the result of last month's decision by the government to increase the transparency of the defense budget. Ministry Director-General Gabi Ashkenazi quickly developed policies for implementation of the principles of transparency, openness and civilian access to data within the boundaries of preserving classified national security information.
The new booklet will be presented directly to Knesset members. It will also appear on the Defense Ministry's web site for easy public access. In addition, the document will be included in the database of the various ministerial budgets appearing on the Finance Ministry web site under the heading "2007 State Budget".